After teasing its existence in Honda's polarizing RN0 and Orbea's latest Rise, Shimano has now released all the details on its new EP810 motor system. Updates are abundant, with standout changes including a 500g weight saving over the previous EP801 motor, a new integrated top tube display, wireless controls, increased torque (from 85 to 100Nm) and peak power (from 600 to 750 W), a new auto assist mode, and new internals to reduce mechanical noise. Oh, and biggest of all—battery life is displayed as a percentage!
At 2.3 kg, the EP810 is lighter than Bosch’s CX Performance Line (2.8 kg) and Avinox’s M2S (2.59 kg). Of course, the EP810 hits the market behind its main competitors in the power department, just matching Bosch’s peak power while torque lands 20Nm lower. Power isn’t everything, and there are plenty of quality arguments against continuing to increase output. That said, it would be surprising if we didn’t see motors keep getting more powerful in the future.
| Peak Power | Torque | Battery Weight | Motor Weight | Motor power-to-weight | |
| Shimano EP810 | 750 W | 100 Nm | 4.1 kg (720 Wh) | 2.3 kg | 326 W/kg |
| Shimano EP801 | 600 W | 85 Nm | 3.7 kg (630 Wh) | 2.8 kg | 214W/kg |
| Bosch CX Gen 5 | 750 W | 120 Nm | 3.9 kg (800 Wh) | 2.82 kg | 266 W/kg |
| Avinox M2S | 1,300 W | 130 Nm | 3.7 kg (800 Wh) | 2.59 kg | 579 W/kg |
Structurally, Shimano says they redesigned the internals to reduce mechanical noises. Time will tell how big of an improvement they made compared to the highly vocal EP801 motor. They also improved heat dissipation with a magnesium motor cover and cooling fins.
The EP810 is launching with a new 720 Wh battery. It’s the largest battery Shimano has made to date, and the only one they currently offer that can support the new motor's 750 W power output. Their previous batteries cap power at 600 W. Unfortunately, it's heavier than Avinox and Bosch’s 800 Wh batteries, so what Shimano saved in motor weight is quickly offset by battery weight.
Shimano has continued to prioritize predictable and natural power delivery. Updates include a wider cadence range of support, maxing out at 160 rpm, and new ‘Assist Remain’ and ‘Carry Over’ algorithms designed to smooth out support when pedal strokes are uneven and to provide continued support after pedaling (duration is adjustable).
Two new features also help you start climbing after stopping: Hill Hold—you can activate Walk Assist and the motor will keep the bike from rolling back; Lift & Shift—you can activate Walk Assist, then lift the rear wheel and double-press the assist-down button to shift into a lower gear.
Shimano continues to lean into the auto-fication of e-pedaling, introducing a new Auto Assist mode and updated auto-shifting algorithm (Gen 3). Auto Assist integrates into Trail+ mode and adjusts support based on terrain gradient and rider input. Interestingly, support is reduced on descents. The Auto Shift update aims to improve gear-shift timing, and you can now adjust cadence preference directly on the bike. Auto Shift is only available with Shimano Di2 drivetrains.
There is a new Shimano CONNECT app (however, I haven’t found it in the app store) where riders can customize motor behavior, update components, and track rides. Connection with the new app is said to be ‘fast and highly stable ’, which would be an improvement over the past E-TUBE app. It also introduces a new D-FLY+ wireless protocol that supports faster data transmission and more secure wireless communication. D-Fly+ is not backward compatible and is only supported on the EP810 and future platforms.
The new SC-EN700 integrated top tube cycling computer is a welcome, modern update for Shimano. It’s not a touchscreen like Avinox, but it does provide multiple pages of information, including range, battery life as a %, current mode, speed, and Auto Shift settings. For those who don’t want to look down as far, Shimano is still offering a handlebar-mounted display with its latest SC-EM810 cycle computer.
One of the stranger new pieces of hardware is the USB-C module, which is essentially a battery pack that straps to your bar to charge external devices.
Thankfully, Shimano has made the switch (ha!) to a wireless switch to minimize cockpit clutter. It’s a three-button switch that offers mode selection and different system functions.
As more bikes come equipped with the EP810 and we log time with the entire system, we will update this forum with further insights. Until then, feel free to ask questions, and we will do our best to get them answered by Shimano.
Would be good to hear reviews of the final release motor and not the pre-production units once available. I think the motor itself sounds good, the batteries are way behind relative, but at least a bike company can use the batteries they desire. Depending on what batteries are used, could be overall a good system. Wonder if a company will make batteries available to the bike companies so they do not have to develop their own proprietary packs?
Cotic replied on PB that denser batteries are on the way in 27.
Dropping the weight, lower weight batteries (Orbea already does this) and reliability(?) are key for me. More power is meh. Bonus points for a smaller size.
There are 3rd party battery pack suppliers. Not sure how much development they do themselves, vs. having their bike company customers needing to do it, but I've always assumed the battery pack supplier does most of the development along with the manufacturing.
An example of this is the packs used in the previous gen Shimano motored Santa Cruz Bullit and the Cannondale Moterra SL, which I think were both made by Darfon. The moterra pack was just a hair under 200wh/kg, compared to these current Shimano packs that are around 175wh/kg. I'd say 200 wh/kg is about the bare minimum to be competitive these days, and to really be a leader in battery energy density you need to be in the 220wh/kg+ range.
Does it still rattle like it's falling apart though?
Too little, too late, too stupid, why not making it compatible to the same frames 😓 can’t find a single Shimano product that is good these days
yeah but their 3rd party program is nightmare. On paper it sounds good with having a wide variety of skus to choose from, but the warranty side is brutal. I had a Pivot with the darfungus battery and they basically took months to get the harness warrantied.
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